Joe said that trails are more about building an experience than creating a straight line from point A to B. He discussed the guiding principles that the Ministry reviews when making trail decisions in provincial parks. There are numerous elements the Ministry considers in developing a positive experience for users such as design, environment and safety. When planning and building trails the Ministry has several considerations but the main concern is that they want to give life to that piece of land. He noted there are various building manuals available and the Ministry has a list of criteria it uses before hiring contractors such as the type of equipment they use, the resumes of people involved, etc. Signage is important especially at the trailheads before people begin their treks. Once trails are created it is important to control weeds. Other issues that can emerge are keeping dogs under control while other users are on the trail; keeping cattle off the trail as they can do considerable damage to surface; ensuring proper sized culverts have been used, and water management. Once the trail is completed you need to make sure your trail is special and consider how it is marketed. You may want to consider races and special events to encourage people to use the trail. The Maah Daah Hey trail in North Dakota is a good example of how a trail can be marketed.

Paul and his wife Cambri have been avid hikers for many years and operate the blog cuttingintodadventure, which documents many of their trail experiences. When they had a baby they needed to change the way they approached hikes and he shared his insights. Hikes now require much more planning and more supplies are required, but there are still opportunities to have outstanding hikes. He suggested that you pack more water, diaper change pad, diapers, treats, change of clothes, potty and hand sanitizer. He also purchased new gear such as a backpack carrier and chariot. Hikes should be planned with the child’s schedule in mind – if he or she takes afternoon naps, then plan your excursion for the morning. Usually 1.5 to 2 km long hikes are good for kids. Sometimes adding games like hide and seek make it more enjoyable for kids. Taking hikes with toddlers is important because it promotes an active physical lifestyle to kids and can lead to life-long memories.

Fat Tire Trails – Jeff Hehn, Fatlanders Fat Tire Brigade

Jeff made a presentation on the fat tire trails they are developing in Saskatoon (the group received a $1,000 grant from STA to assist this project). Their trail project is called St. Barbe (formerly Man of the Trees). Jeff noted that the popularity of fat tire bikes has been on the increase and there are more groomed trails available nation-wide. This is the first groomed fat bike trail in Saskatchewan. The Fatlanders started in 2014 with 50 members and has now increased to 75 members. They offer a variety of club rides to encourage people to try fat bikes. The club has been working with the city and Meewasin Valley Authority on the fat bike trail and has created several km of trail this year. The club uses Trail Forks as a mapping tool for their trail.

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http://sasktrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/logo-dark.png00Jonathanhttp://sasktrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/logo-dark.pngJonathan2018-03-27 09:46:432018-03-27 10:32:19AGM held over the weekend